Singapore returns 'caning' man's passport

The Australian man arrested by Singaporean authorities for swearing on a flight out of Perth has had his passport returned and been told he faces no further action.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed today that Perth-based maritime worker Bruce Griffiths, 47, had been allowed to leave the country after initially being accused under the country's outrage of modesty laws.

Tiger Airways said it would not compromise on its zero-tolerance policy of bad behaviour. Photo: Dallas Kilponen

It had originally been thought he may face the cane as a potential punishment, after becoming involved in a swearing match with another male passenger whose sleep he disturbed while allowing a female passenger out of her seat.

But after that punishment was ruled out by local police, Mr Griffiths was on Thursday told he was free to leave the country.